NET WORTH

Lionel Messi Net Worth: $74 Million

Biography

Lionel Andres Messi, better known as Lionel Messi, a world-famous football player, was born on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe in Argentina. When he was only 11 years old, he was diagnosed with a serious growth hormone problem, which made him smaller than other children his age. Extensive and expensive medical treatment was needed to counter his condition. Unfortunately, his family could not afford such treatment. His small stature did not hinder him from pursuing his passion in football, however. Instead, it motivated him to become faster in the field. At the age of 16, Messi, with the support of his family, moved to Spain and made his official debut at the Barcelona Senior Club on November 16, 2003. Since then, he has become famous for his talent in the field of football, making use of his small stature and fast feet to go through gaps and evade rival players to make his goal. He became the face of FC Barcelona, which brought him more deals and endorsements, thus increasing his portfolio. Lionel Messi is number 13 in the 2015 Forbes list of The World’s Highest-Paid Celebrities, with a net worth of $74 million.

How did Lionel Messi make his money?

Aside from earning a salary increase of $9 million a year from 2014 to 2018, Lionel Messi also earns from his various endorsements, which total $22 million. The majority of his endorsement deal earnings came from his main sponsor, Adidas, which launched a Messi line of shoes and football apparel that sold better than expected. He also signed up, together with NBA Superstar Kobe Bryant, as an endorser for Turkish Airlines. Lionel Messi was also cast to play Iron Man in an advertisement by his sponsor, Samsung Mobile, to promote Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron movie earlier this year.